Stock feeder



Oct. 10, 1939.

O. F. HERRINGTON STOCK FEEDER Filed June 4, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet 1 In venior A iiorneys Oct. 10, 1939.

o. F. HERRINGTON 2,175,960

STOCK FEEDER Filed June 4, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z Inventor affirrzi 3'02: M

A itorneys Oct. 10, 1939. o. F. HERRINGTON STOCK FEEDER Filed June 4, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A iiorneys Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for feeding stock at stated periods a given quantity of grain or like feed and consists generally in the provision of a feeder of this character embodying a pocket-wheel for delivering the grain or material in measured quantities, the wheel in accordance with the present invention being provided with approximately fourteen pockets to the end that the feed may be placed in the wheel at the beginning of a week or other stated period of time, and the stock fed from two of the pockets each day. In this connection it will, of course, be understood that the manner of using the wheel will depend on the desire of the dairymen and the above is merely suggestive of one manner of use.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a stock feeder embodying the features of the present invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the pocket-wheel taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and showing a hopper as used in connection with the wheel for filling the pockets thereof, and

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional View through the wheel taken at right angles to the axis thereof, and substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals it will be seen that in accordance with the present invention there is mounted over each trough 5, and supported by a suitable frame structure 6, my improved stock feeding pocket-wheel indicated generally by the reference numeral 1.

The wheel 1 comprises a pair of end plates 8-8 provided with hubs 9 secured to a shaft Ill in any suitable manner to rotate with the shaft.

The shaft It has the end portions thereof journalled in suitable bearings II arising from the supporting frame 6 and on one end thereof shaft IE3 is provided with a crank or handle [2 to facilitate rotation of the wheel.

Further the wheel is divided into a plurality, in the present instance, fourteen, pockets l3 through the medium of radial partitions I4 extending from the shaft In as shown in Figure 3.

For each pocket l4 there is provided a closure I5 hinged to the wheel at one side of its pocket as at l6.

Also secured to the end plates 8 of the wheel are annular members I! and provided on the annular members I! at suitable intervals are keepers l 8.

Each lid is provided adjacent the respective opposite ends thereof with spring-projected looking bolt assemblies 19 as best shown in Figure 2 and the bolts of the assemblies I!) for each lid or closure l5 are connected with a pull rod 20 through the medium of a flexible element 2|, rod 28 being secured to the element 2| intermediate the ends of the latter. It will thus be seen that by exerting a pull on the rod 20, the latch bolts vided a removable hopper 22 that at its bottom or discharge end is provided with a depending skirt 23 that is adapted to fit down into the mouth of a pocket l3 for guiding the grain or other feed into the selected pocket.

Also in accordance with the present invention there is mounted on either or both end plates 8 at the outer side thereof indicia-carrying elements eitherin the form of tags or tag holders 24. There is provided one tag or tag holder 24 for each pocket and on the tag or tag holder 24 may be placed such indicia as will indicate the weight of the contents of the associated pocket, that is to say whether the pocket contains one, two or more pounds of feed or fractions thereof.

Thus it will be seen that with a stock feed embodying the features of the present invention all the pockets may be filled to the desired amount with the proper feed, and with all the pockets filled two feedings a day may be had for a period of seven days or one week so that the feeder will require attention but once at the end of each week.

Obviously, as an alternate, any number of stock may be fed from the wheel, as for example heads of stock to anumber corresponding to the numher of pockets may be fed allotting one pocket to each head of stock.

Manifestly, the manner in which the device may be used will be determined by the circumstances and wishes of the dairyman.

It will also be apparent that to empty the contents-of a pocket into the trough 5, the operator by grasping the handle [2 and turning the same will rotate the 'wheel to bring the selected pocket over the trough 5 and when this has been accomplished by pulling on the rod 20 provided for the latches l9 associated with the closure for that pocket, the bolts of the latches will be released permitting the lid of that pocket to swing downwardly as shown in Figure 3 so that the contents of the pocket will then empty therefrom into the trough.

It is thought that a clear understanding of the construction, utility and advantages of a stock feeder embodying in the features of the present invention will be had without a more detailed description.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. In a stock feeder of the character described a rotatable feeder wheel presenting a plurality of radially disposed pockets, a hinged closure for each pocket, and latch devices for each closure for releasably securing the latter in closed position with respect to its pocket.

2. In a stock feeder of the character described a rotating feeder wheel presenting a plurality of radially disposed pockets, closures for said pockets hinged at one side of the pocket, annular members secured to the wheel at opposite ends thereof, keeper elements mounted on said annular members in circular series, there being one keeper element at each end of the wheel for each pocket, and a pair of spring-projected latch assemblies mounted on each closure and having bolts adapted to be projected into engagement with said keepers for releasably securing the closure in closed position with respect to its pocket.

3. In a stock feeder of the character described a rotating feeder wheel presenting a plurality of radially disposed pockets, closures for said pockets hinged at one side of the pocket, annular members secured to the wheel at opposite ends thereof, keeper elements mounted on said annular members in circular series, there being one keeper element at each end of the wheel for each pocket, and a pair of spring-projected latch as- 1 semblies mounted on each closure and having bolts adapted to be projected into engagement with said keepers for releasably securing the closure in closed position with respect to its pocket, an operating rod for the bolts of each pair of 1 latch assemblies, and flexible elements connecting the bolts of such latch assemblies with one another and with said operating rod.

4. In combination with a feed trough, a supporting structure rising from said trough, opposed 2 bearing standards extending upwardly from said supporting structure, a shaft having end portions thereof journalled in said bearing standards, a crank on one end of the shaft for rotating the latter, and a wheel mounted on the shaft to rotate therewith and presenting a plurality of radially disposed pockets each having at the periphery of the wheel a hinged closure, and latch means associated with the closure for releasably securing the latter in closed position. 3

OLLIE FRAZIER HERRINGTON. 

